Work-holder for label-affixing machines.



C. E. HARDENBROOK.

WORK HOLDER FOR LABEL AFFIXING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC- 30.1912.

1,149,646. Pate11tedAug.10,1 9l5.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

WITNESSES: IN VENTOR flarZwZ/VrmZmaZ ATTORNEY.

C.E'.HARDENBROOKI.'

WORK HOLDER FOR LABEL AFFIXING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 30. 1912.

1,149,646. Patented A110. 10, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

- 7 fly INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

COLUMBIA PLANDURAPH 60.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

time srarns arana? prion,

CHARLES E. HAR-DENBROOK, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

WORK-HOLDER FOR LABEL-AFFIXING MACHINES.

Application filed December 30, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES E. HARDEN- BROOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful l/Vork- Holder for Label- Aflixing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention, broadly stated, relates to machines for aiiixing labels to pliable materials such as paper, textile'fabrics and the like, particularly hosiery and underwear, and the invention relates more specifically to the providing of a work holder for such machines.

At present an operator of a label afiixing machine, which for the sake of illustration let it be assumed is for attaching labels to hosiery, receives the stockings in dozen or half dozen lots neatly laid together ready for boxing and while holding the bundle of hosiery in one hand, with the otherhand selects the tops of consecutive pairs of stockings and positions same with respect to the machine for label affixing. By this procedure, the hosiery becomes dis arranged through handling and in consequence of which much time is consumed in re-arranging the same for boxing. In addition to this annoying feature, the full efliciency of a label aflixing machine may not be obtained, due to the fact that the operator, by said method, cannot work very rapidly.

The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the above recited disadvantageous features and provide a work holder for movably supporting layers of pliable material in neat and compact form before the operative parts of a label afiixing machine, whereby the work holder together with the work may be caused to be advanced toward or be caused to recede from said operative parts, in an easy and rapid manner.

The invention has for a further object to provide a novel and simply constructed work holder of the general character hereinafter more particularly set forth.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a work holder which forms a self adjustable, quick acting and positive clamp, which may be readily moved toward or away from the operative parts of a label affixing machine.

A further object 01 the present invention Specification of Letters Patent.

I Patented Aug. it), 1915.

Serial a0. 739,374.

. invention, broadly stated, consists of the improvements hereinafter described and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention, will be more fully understood from the following description,

taken inqconnection with the accompanying drawings'forming part hereof and in which:

Figure l, is a perspective view of a label affixing ,machine equipped with a work holder embodying the invention, Fig. 2, is a fragmentary view illustrating a piece of textile fabric havingattached thereto a label as affixed by'the machine shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3, is a view in side, elevation, of the work holder shown in Fig.1, Fig. 4c, is a view in front elevationof the same, Fig. 5, is a. top or plan view thereof, Fig. 6, is a view in side elevation ofa slightly different form of work holder. Fig. 7, is a view in front elevationthereof, and F 8, and 9, are views in cross-section, taken respectively upon the lines 8-S and 99 of Fig. 6.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, two forms of work holder are shown in the accompanying drawings, which types at present are preferable, since the same have been found in practice to give satis factory and reliable results. It is to be understood, however, that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists, may be otherwise arranged and reorganized, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, for the sake of illustration, the following descrip tion will be restricted to the application of the work holder of the invention to a ma chineforaifixing labels to hosiery, although, obviously, the holder is applicable to a variety of like uses.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a machine for afiixing labels to pairs of stocking tops, by means of pointed staples. Such machine generally speaking comprises a stand 1, a table 2, and staple feeding and aflixing mechanism 3, all of which parts may be of any welllmown type and the operation of which is well understood in the art. Such machine may be foot operated, as shown in the drawing or may be power driven. Having fixed relation with the table 2, of the label affixing machine, as by screws 3 or other suitable mediums, is a support comprising a base plate 4:, which terminates in an upright or standard 5, which in turn carries at its top a horizontally disposed outwardly extending forked member 6. In practice, the base plate, up right or standard and forked extension are preferably formed integral with one another. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 3, this forked extension 6, overhangs the front edge of the table 2. Having pivotal relation as at 7, between the tines of the forked extension 6, is a horizontally disposed clamping aw 8. Arranged approximately midway between the pivotal point 7, of the clamping jaw and the free end thereof and shown as being formed integral with said jaw is an inwardly extending forked member 9. Pivoted as at 10, between the tines of the forked extension 9, is an oppositely disposed clamping jaw 11, the inner end 12, of which may constitute an operating handle. Operatively arranged between the part 14, of the clamping jaw 11, and the part 15, of the clamping lever 8, is a compression spring 16, designed to normally cause the oppositely disposed clamping jaws to abut one against another, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. In this connection, it may be stated that the extreme outer ends of the clamping jaws 8, and 11, are oppositely curved as at 17, and 18, so that work to be operated upon may be more conveniently guided between the clamping aws.

The operation and functions of the several parts of the work holder just described will now be given: Stockings neatly folded and arranged for boxing are inserted between the spring impelled clamping jaws 8, and 11, the handle 12, having been first moved in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 5, against the compression spring 16. Upon release of the handle 12, the spring 16, operates to cause the clamping jaws 8, and 11, to securely hold in place the bundle of stockings, without in any way causing dis-arrangement of the same. In this connection, it is to be noted that the stockings are so placed between the clampingjaws, that the extreme tops of the stockings are free of the clamping jaws and hang thereover as clearly illustrated. in Fig. 1. The coiiperatively connected clamping jaws may now be moved around the pivot point 7,

to the position shown in Fig. 1, or in other words, so that the bundle of stockings is in cooperative alinem'enj; with the affixing mechanism 3, of the label stapling machine. In this position, the clamping jaw 8, is substantially in parallelism with the front edge of the table 2. The operator now selects the tops of a pair of stockings, places thereover a label 19, see Fig. 2, feeds the same to the aflixing mechanism 3, of the label stapling machine, by moving the jaws 8, and 11, toward the same and depresses the treadle 20, whereupon a staple 21, see Fig. 2, securely combines together the stocking tops and label, whereupon the jaws 8, and 11, are moved away from the aflixing mechanism. This operation is repeated and again repeated until all the stockings of the bundle have been labeled. The clamping lever 11, is now moved by the operator against the action of the compression spring 16, to release the bundle of stockings which may then be removed in just as neat and orderly a manner, as when the operator first received them. It is to be noted in this connection that the clamping jaws are spring impelled and quick acting and may. be caused to be advanced toward or away from the label affixing mechanism by means of the pivotal point 7, in an? easy and rapid manner. Further, the clamping jaws when not in use may be moved to the left in Fig.

1, and caused to lie substantially parallel with the side of the table 2, in which position they are out of the way.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, there is shown a somewhat different form of work holder. Having fixed relation with the underside of the table 2, of a label afiixing machine, as by means of screws 22, is an elongated flat plate 23, constituting a supporting element. Preferably formed integral therewith and depending therefrom at the opposite ends thereof, are forked extensions 24. In prac-' tice, these forked extensions 24:, each movably support a pair of inverted U-shaped spring impelled work holding jaws 25, and 26. Of these work holding jaws, the jaws 25, have pivotal relation as at 27, between the tines of the forked extension 2-1, and the jaws 26, have pivotal relation as at 28, with the lower ends of the jaws 25. In this connection, it is to be noted that the jaws 26, terminate at their lower ends in forked portions 30, which forked portions receive the ends of the jaws 25. Connecting the respective tops of the jaws 25, and 26, are horizontally disposed cross bars 31, and 32, see Fig. 7. These bars 31, and 32, consti tute work receiving elements. Extending inwardly from and preferably formed integral with the upper ends of the jaws 25, are arms 33, see Fig. 6, which arms are arranged at a slight inclination. Extending laterally from the freeend of each arm 33, is a stud or pin, shown in the drawings as a screw 34, and a similar screw 35, extends laterally from each of the upper ends of the jaws 26. Connecting each pair of screws 34-, and 35, is a closely coiled spring 36, which springs normally cause the free ends of the jaws 25, and 26, to abut as clearly shown in Fig. 6. In order to limit the forward movement of the aws 25, and 26, one of the forked extensions 24, may be provided with a lug 37, against which is adapted to abut a projection 38, on one of the jaws 25, see Fig. 6. As shown in said figure the position of the work holder is that of normal or inoperative position.

The operation and functions of the several. parts of the work holder last described, will now be given :A bundle of stockings as before described is inserted between the cross bars 31, and 32, the jaws 25, and 26, having been first moved apart against the tension springs 36. Upon release of the jaws 25, and 26, the springs 36, operate to cause the free ends of the jaws to approach one another and the cross bars 31, and 32, to securely hold in place the stockings. The work holder may now be moved around its pivot points 27, in the direction of thearrow shown in Fig. 6, so that the bundle of stockings is in cotiperative alinement with the afiixing mechanism 4, of the label stapling machine shown in Fig. l. The operation of attaching the labels having been previously described, further description thereof is thought to be unnecessary. To remove the stockings when labeled, the work holder is moved around its pivot points, away from the stapling machine to the position shown in Fig. 6, the clamping jaws 25, and 26, released against the tension of the springs 36, and the bundle of stockings removed in a neat and orderly manner.

Obviously, slight changes may be made in the general arrangement and combination of parts above described as well as in the details of construction thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention and it is not intended that the present invention be limited to the exact arrangement and combination of parts as described in the specification nor to the details of construction as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but

hat I claim is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a fixed plate having depending therefrom a pair of attaching lugs, a pair of vertically disposed alined generally curved inverted U-shaped work holding jaws having pivotal relation with one another, one of which jaws is pivotally supported by said lugs and tension devices for holding the free endsof said jaws in relatively abutting position.

shaped work holding jaws pivoted together at their lower ends, said pair of aws having pivoted relation with said lugs, cooperatively arranged means carried by the lug parts and at least one of said aws for limiting the retrograde movement of the aws and spring tension devices operatively connecting the upper ends of said jaws for normally causing the same to abut.

3. A self-adjusting quick acting work holder embracing a fixed plate having depending therefrom an attaching lug, a pair of alined outwardly curved inverted U- shaped work holding jaws pivoted together, of which one of said jaws is pivoted to said lug so that the jaws while supporting work may be guided toward or away from said plate in a single arc of a circle only and a spring operatively connected between the free ends of said jaws for normally causing the free ends thereof to abut.

4. A self-adjusting quick acting work holder embracing a fixed plate terminating in an integral extension, a one-piece jaw pivoted to said extension, an oppositely disposed one-piece jaw pivoted to the first mentioned jaw, so that the combined jaws while supporting work may be moved toward or away from said plate in a single arc of a circle only and a spring operatively connected between said aws for normally causing the free ends thereof to abut.

5. A self-adjusting quick acting work holder embracing a fiat plate terminating in an integral extension, a one-piece jaw pivoted to said extension, an oppositely disposed one-piece jaw pivoted to the first mentioned jaw, so that the combined jaws while supporting work may be moved toward or away from said plate in a single arc of a circle only, cooperatively arranged means carried by said extension and at least one of said aws for limiting the retrograde movement of the jaws and a spring connecting said aws for normally causing the free ends thereof to abut.

6. A device of the class described embracing in combination a supporting structure or table, a support consisting of a horizontally disposed flat plate terminating in an integral vertically disposed extension, means for rigidly securing said support to said structure or table, a one-piece jaw piv oted to the free end of said extension so as to have free swinging relation therewith, an oppositely disposed jaw pivoted to the first mentioned jaw which jaws are constructed to support between them at their free ends a bundle of stockings in vertical position, said jaws being so designed that comb-inedly they are free at all times to be manually moved toward or away from said support- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto ing structure or table 1n :1 single are of asigned my name. circle only and so as to maintain the bundle of stockings in the same relative position CHARLES HARDENBROOK' and resilient means operatively connected Witnesses:

between said jaws for normally causing the WVILLIAM J. JACKSON,

free ends thereof to abut. CHARLES E. FINCK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. e 

